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By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
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One of the age-old pastimes around the sports world is teams inappropriately talking to free-agent players before they are legally allowed to do so. Every team does this but only some teams get caught. This gives organizations a leg up in negotiations and allows for agreements to be announced right as free agency opens. It happens like clockwork each year yet only a select few actually see any real ramifications from it.
This year, the Atlanta Falcons are the team to be penalized for their big offseason signings. The Falcons were one of the heaviest spenders this offseason, signing former Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed. It became one of the biggest signings around the league but some believed that Atlanta may have spoken to Cousins before the window opened.
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The NFL did an investigation and found that the Falcons did in fact have "improper contact" with Cousins and others during free agency. This investigation also showed that the Falcons spoke to wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner earlier than allowed as well.
Due to this, the Falcons will forfeit their fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and will pay a fine of $250,000. Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot has also been fined $50,000 in this punishment. Atlanta responded with a statement accepting the punishment.
"We are pleased this review is complete," the Falcons said in a statement. "We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL's thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve."
The NFL policy allows contact between the agents of prospective free agents and teams during a two-day negotiating window. Teams are not allowed to speak with the players themselves until the legal window opens up. This includes something as small as travel arrangements for the two sides to meet but it's a way to at least attempt to keep a competitive balance around the league.
The Falcons will move on from this with their franchise quarterback in place, looking to get themselves back to the postseason. While the punishment does see the Falcons lose a draft pick, it's in the later rounds of the draft so it likely isn't super consequential. Teams know that they will only get a slap on the wrist for improper contact so it continues to happen each year. If the NFL actually wants to prohibit these types of improper behaviors, they will need to come down with harsher penalties on teams. However, it's almost impossible to stop illegal communication so the league is likely doing the best that they can.
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